In May the Township Committee changed its code to force minimum property maintenance standards in the township. On Sept. 9, after a process of issuing summonses to clean up, the governing body ordered cleanup of five properties.
They are at 196 Fairfield Lane, 9 Woods Road, 252 Woods Road, 803 Amwell Road and 188 Duke’s Parkway East.
The ordinance considers nuisances or hazards: disrepair from storm damage or deteriorating condition; out-of-service swimming pools; dead, rotting or diseased trees; loose and overhanging tree limbs; accumulated junk, litter or debris; accumulated hazardous, noxious or unhealthy substances, and overgrown or neglected lawns, bushes, trees, shrubbery and landscaping.
The ordinance lists conditions that could bring action. At least three must exist. Other examples are accumulated newspapers, the absence of window blinds curtains or shutters; the absence of furnishings; windows or doors boarded up or broken or unhinged, grass high
er than 14 inches and other items.
Marshall Farley Lawn Services won the contract to do the work at the five properties for a total of $5,620, the lowest of three bids.

